Things They Don't Tell You When You've Passed Your Driving Test

Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Image from Pinterest
Longest blog post title ever? I passed my driving test in December last year which was a massive thing for me and luckily I pass second time round. Yes, passing is down to knowledge and the skill of driving but it's also just as much down to luck on the day, the examiner and so many other factors, some of which are out of your control such as other drivers, pedestrians, unclear road marking or even the weather and your mood. Learning to drive is an essential skill and you learn so much but there are some things they don't tell you:

Driving Alone 
While you are learning to drive, you cannot drive on your own. I drove with my parents and my instructor so driving on my own for the first time was so nerve wracking as I hadn't done it before and you lose that safety net of being able to ask someone questions or having that extra person watching out for dangers. The other thing that is odd that I found about driving on my own is the silence, I was used to my parents talking or my driving instructor asking me questions but on my own there was nothing but the noise of the engine which was so strange at first!

Insurance & Extra Costs
While learning to drive you are covered by your instructors insurance or you can buy learner driver insurance which is what I did but after that it gets so much more expensive. I thought that if you are over 25, which I nearly am, that insurance decreases but it isn't by much! Also I thought that Pass Plus would decrease insurance too but again, it isn't by much at all. Road tax and breakdown cover are also costs that I completely forgot about too. The there's random things like a steering wheel lock, car cleaning products, sunglasses... and of course, petrol.

Car Maintenance 
In the UK as well as learning how to drive you also have to answer some 'show me, tell me' questions about where things are in the car and under the bonnet such as the oil and water, for example. However, you aren't told how to change a tire, change a windscreen wiper, what to do if your car breaks down, how to dispense petrol or how to change a headlight bulb, most of which I've had to do since passing my test. Practical knowledge and skills like that aren't taught and I think they should be!

Becoming A Taxi 
This is an unexpected one but only a week or so after passing my test, I was ferrying my parents around and picking people up and now I know what it was like for my dad to drop me off and pick me up from friends houses, birthday parties and school...I actually like driving on the whole but being a taxi isn't so fun; however it is all good practice and helps build confidence.

Renting A Car & Experience Restrictions 
Once you have passed there are still restrictions, for example, renting a car usually needs 12 months experience of driving before you can rent and sometimes you have to be over 25 too. Also if you are thinking about driving abroad then you might need more experience, you'll have to check specifically for that country as laws and restrictions vary.

Can you drive? What was your experience of learning to drive and passing? Have you experienced any of the points I've mentioned? 

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*Image from Pinterest

21 comments

  1. I agree with you that practical knowledge skills should be taught too xx

    Beautylymin

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  2. I didn't pass until I was 24! I think because I was @ uni etc and didn't really need a car in the city. I loved it when I passed though and it's so handy as I now live a little further out of London - when i lived central I didn't have a car as it's a waste of money x

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  3. I think I've forgotten how to drive, I haven't driven for a good couple of years 😂

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  4. the costs is what puts me off...insurance is unrealistic expensive for people our age. We do have the advantage of being women, who are generally considered to be less reckless but still...
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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  5. These are all common sense really and things that are usually passed on to you by friends and family xx At least you are aware of these issues now to pass on to your friends

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  6. I've recently passed and this is so true :P literally x

    www.beautiliciousd.blogspot.com

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  7. Insurance is always so expensive! I love driving, but the costs to run a car is massive. xx

    Julie
    www.rainingcake.com

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  8. I don't drive yet. I haven't been able to learn due to an accident and reconstruction surgeries on my leg but im hoping to learn before I'm 30 haha

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  9. I can remember when I first passed my test and bought my first car for the longest time I daren't drive with music on because I was petrified!

    Danielle xx
    http://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

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  10. Driving is not for me! It really triggers my anxiety badly so I would feel uncomfortable driving with the baby which would be the whole point of me learning in the first place.

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  11. Driving is one thing I've never really wanted to do in all honesty x

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  12. Becoming a taxi was my biggest one! Everyone wanted a lift it seemed! My petrol woukd go down rapidly! X

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  13. I love this so much and that image!!!

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  14. I hate it if my car breaks or I need to change the oil and stuff because I never know what to do!

    Lauren x Huggled

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  15. When I first passed my test it was the driving alone that I hated most!!
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  16. My daughter passed her test in May but hasn't got a car yet, she is saving up. The insurance is ridiculous isn't it? xxx

    Zoe ♥ MammafulZo

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  17. Agreed! The cost is such a nightmare at times! It can be so expensive!

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  18. I haven't done any driving tests yet. The thought of it terrifies me x

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  19. Haha it does get easier! I have been driving 12 years now and it is the best thing I ever done. X

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  20. Driving scares me - I've never even had one lesson!

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  21. These are so true, I love the freedom of being able to drive though!

    Cass | CassandraMyee

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